Lesson 4.6.2.3

4.6.2.3 Properties of electromagnetic waves 2 Quiz: AQA Physics, Unit 6

20 questions

Written by Revision Ninja · Last reviewed 11 October 2026

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Lesson 4.6.2.3, Properties of electromagnetic waves 2: 20 multiple choice questions for the AQA GCSE Physics (8463), Unit 6: Waves, written with Revision Ninja.

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The 20 questions

  1. How can radio waves be produced?

    • Atomic electron drops
    • Nuclear decay
    • Circuit oscillations
    • Thermal vibrations

  2. What alternating current can absorbed radio waves create?

    • Double frequency current
    • Same frequency current
    • Zero frequency current
    • Direct current

  3. Where do gamma rays originate from?

    • Outer shell electrons
    • Electrical circuits
    • Thermal radiation
    • Atomic nuclei

  4. What does radiation dose measured in sieverts represent?

    • Wave frequency
    • Total energy emitted
    • Source temperature
    • Risk of harm

  5. Which electromagnetic waves are ionising and can cause gene mutations?

    • Infrared and visible
    • X-rays and gamma
    • Microwaves and infrared
    • Radio and microwaves

  6. What harmful effect can ultraviolet waves have on human skin?

    • Causes skin cancer
    • Stops cell division
    • Increases vitamin D
    • Cures skin conditions

  7. (Higher tier) A dose of 2500 mSv is how many Sv?

    • 2.5 Sv
    • 0.25 Sv
    • 250 Sv
    • 25 Sv

  8. (Higher tier) Which dose is equal to 1000 mSv?

    • 1 Sv
    • 10 Sv
    • 0.1 Sv
    • 100 Sv

  9. What is the general relationship between radiation dose and harm?

    • Greater dose reduces harm
    • Dose has no effect
    • Harm is always zero
    • Greater dose increases harm

  10. What two factors determine the hazardous effects of radiation?

    • Source and colour
    • Wavelength and speed
    • Type and dose
    • Frequency and mass

  11. Compared with gamma rays, what type of radiation are radio waves?

    • Non-ionising
    • Charged
    • Ionising
    • Radioactive

  12. Over what range can changes in atoms generate electromagnetic waves?

    • Wide frequency range
    • Single wavelength
    • Constant frequency
    • Narrow band only

  13. Which radiation dose is larger: 900 mSv or 0.95 Sv?

    • 0.95 Sv
    • Cannot tell
    • They are equal
    • 900 mSv

  14. (Higher tier) Ionising radiation can cause genes to do what?

    • Mutate
    • Change colour
    • Heal completely
    • Freeze

  15. Why are X-rays considered hazardous to body tissue?

    • They are infrared
    • They are ionising
    • They are magnetic
    • They are too cold

  16. What two factors determine the level of hazard from electromagnetic radiation?

    • Amplitude and power
    • Radiation type and dose
    • Frequency and colour
    • Wavelength and speed

  17. Which electromagnetic source is more hazardous at typical exposures?

    • UV lamp
    • Visible light bulb
    • Infrared heater
    • Radio transmitter

  18. (Higher tier) Which dose is the largest?

    • 2 Sv
    • 0.5 Sv
    • 900 mSv
    • 1500 mSv

  19. Which process produces radio waves in an electrical circuit?

    • Constant current
    • Radioactive decay
    • Static charge
    • Oscillating charges

  20. (Higher tier) An X-ray image of a broken bone works because bone absorbs X-rays more strongly than what?

    • Air
    • Metal
    • Water
    • Soft tissue

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